Women are speaking out

A couple of days late, but I've caught on to it. I've gotten an alert about this article on my Blackberry phone and finally got around to looking at it. Here are some of the most important snippets of the article that I've posted up. What exactly should be done to confront this, and how can we stop it from creating a divide/dislike between men and women?

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/06/living/street-harassment/index.html?iref=allsearch

By Emily Smith, CNN
updated 2:02 PM EDT, Sat October 6, 2012

Alex Chamberlain (just now) - Can't believe that one guy had the nerve to blame TV. This has nothing to do with TV. Guys are guys and they want to have sex with as many attractive women as physically possible. That's human nature, plain and simple.

Guy's who yell at girls on the street are usually either overly confident, or have no shame. One of the extremes. Touching is one thing, that's obviously not okay. But I think everyone needs to sack up and grow a thicker skin.
I personally don't do it because I think it makes you look like a scumbag. But not every guy, or even the majority who do behave like this should be made out like they're some sort of rapist or sexual predator.

When you try and equate whistling or yelling to a pretty girl with actual sexual assault, you demean the seriousness of actual, physical sexual assault.

 

A man yelling on the street isn't confident, he is a dumb ass, I never want to get to know. :smt045

 

I've been assulted and hollered at while walking down the street in daylight. Both make me feel really uncomfortable and I prefer neither. I also don't prefer it if instead of touching my ass or yelling at me from the other sidewalk, if you approach me in person and try to talk to me. IF i wanted to have anything to do with you...you would know. If I keep walking and give not one second of my time, it means GO AWAY and leave me alone.
And it won't be different the 3rd or 4th time.

 

You're demeaning the seriousness of harassment and the emotional toll it takes on women. Whether one has been sexually touched, there is always that threat - yelling and catcalling is the first step. I have had both happen to me (the physical a few times, and the verbal on almost a daily basis). I NEVER feel safe in public. Think about how you would feel to have to be constantly on your guard against an imminent physical attack or having to deal with a confrontation. The other day a man smiled at me at the art fair and proceeded to "follow" me and try to catch my eye - he said "hey" in a tiny voice, but I, like a cold street-trained bitch, completely ignored him/shunned him when I would have rather have just said hello. Why? To avoid a scene or "encouraging" him. You wouldn't believe what "encourages" men - it could be just out of the fact of being attractive - they think they OWN you and therefore have the right to say whatever they want, because they try to possess you with their words and eyes. The only men that do this are those who know they don't stand a chance. Cowards and fools. Next step is grabbing my ass or groping my breasts just because I was stupid enough to let down my guard and let you within arm's reach of me. Oh and the flashing - that's always fun.

DO NOT downplay verbal harassment - it is a stepping stone and its effects over time are cumulative.

 

I'm not surprise of the lack of respect for women today. My wife is experiencing this right now from some asshole who is pursuing her. She can handle herself. She is a 3rd black belt in Hapkido. I told her to take his ass out if he touch her.

 

I've found an effective way to stop the yellers in their tracks is to stop, turn to face them and confront them, it's amazing how quickly they shrink into themselves when I do this. You yell at me, expect to be belittled in front of your mates

 

Like the other ladies have said - you cannot minimise how awful street harassment is. You may not see it as a 'big deal' but many women have suffered other sexual violence in their lives and some awful bloke shouting some disgusting 'compliment' is extremely triggering.

I know when I'm alone and a guy shouts something it makes me very, very scared. It triggers my anxiety and it's not nice. Also, if a guy touches me he should expect to get a fucking punch in the fucking face. I have extreme anxiety problems with unknown males touching me, especially grabbing my arms. It triggers an automatic reflex. I won't 'sack up' - how about the men who harass women 'sack up' and leave us the fuck alone? Urgh. I won't be nice to these men. Like the other ladies have said for some reason being pleasant means you want to have sex in some men's eyes.

BOTH sexual assault and sexual harassment are very serious. They're different but they are both wrong.

Men trying to tell women what is and isn't offensive/sexist. It's like me, as a white woman, telling you what is and isn't racist. It's bullshit.

 

I have never whooted and hollared and what not.


To be honest, I don't give an F if other guys do it. It is freedom of speech to hoot and hollar.